Category Archives: The Features

These are our features. They come back either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Talkin' Transit
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Talkin’ Transit: Zimmerman’s View

Photo courtesy of
‘Gakkenflex’
courtesy of ‘pnzr242’

As you might have heard by now, Metro’s longest serving board member, Chris Zimmerman, has elected to step down. I spoke with Mr. Zimmerman this morning about his decision to step down, and about Metro in general.

Despite the persistent reports that he resigned due to frustrations with funding, Zimmerman told me that he stepped down because of time constraints. At the beginning of the year, Zimmerman will become chairman of the Arlington County board. “I have a number of things in Arlington that are very important to me that I really need to spend time on,” he said. “The Metro assignment has become quite consuming, and at some point you have to decide what to focus on.”

That doesn’t mean he isn’t concerned with Metro’s funding. “My concern about Metro in the future is that we have not been committing the resources necessary to operate at the level that the region expects, and we’re seeing the consequences of that. That’s not something that can be fixed from within the Metro board.” He adds that he expects to continue to be involved in Metro and other transportation issues, and in finding a stable source of funding for the agency.

Read on for what I thought was a frank and wide-ranging discussion of the issues the board and the region have ahead of them.

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Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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The Ten Best Concerts In And Around DC For 2010

Photo courtesy of
‘Muse – Patriot Center – March 1, 2010’
courtesy of ‘Mrs. Gemstone’

This is my favorite post to write each year. There are many reasons why but the main one is that I love how it tasks me with reliving my year in music. I have re-read every review that I have written in the past year. I have thought about every show and every individual set that I have seen in 2010.* I have made numerous lists of the sets I have seen, and I have broken them down into categories to determine the best of the best in each. I always enjoy the concert-to-concert combat that rages in my memory as I try to boil down a year’s worth of experiences into a shortlist that best represents the year. I am equally surprised and proud to discover that this is the sixth year that I have completed this process of list making.

2010 may be the single best year of live music that I have experienced in my eighteen years of concert-going. Collectively the shows I have seen across the U.S. and in and around DC this year have provided me with more moments of music nirvana, pure aural bliss, then I ever imagined was possible. I often say I am on a life-long quest to attain music nirvana and 2010 is as close as I have come to discovering it in a sustained form. With a year this good, my usual challenging task of narrowing the field down to the 10 best concerts was more difficult than ever.**

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Entertainment, Fun & Games, Music, We Love Music
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The Winning Ticket: Gogol Bordello w/ Trouble Funk on NYE

As a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader each week. Check back here every Wednesday morning at 9am to find out what tickets we’re giving away and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

This week we are hooking you up for New Year’s Eve with a pair of tickets to what is sure to be the most insane party in town. Prepare yourself for the volcanic volatile mix of Trouble Funk performing with Gogol Bordello on New Year’s Eve! The party prowess of these two bands is the stuff of legend. Only the mad genius programmers of 9:30 Club would dare put them together in the same room on the biggest party night of the year. You want a NYE to remember; one you’ll tell stories about for months? This is it! Just remember when telling the tale to mention that you won your tix to this SOLD OUT shindig from We Love DC. Happy New Year everyone!

For your chance to win these tickets simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 9am and 4pm today. One entry per email address, please. If today doesn’t turn out to be your lucky day, check back here each Wednesday for a chance to win tickets to other great concerts.

For the rules of this giveaway…
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Talkin' Transit
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What’s really happening at those WMATA “random” stops

Screen capture from the WMATA youtube video of today’s first bag swabs

I know – you expect me to say “security theater” and gripe about their ineffectiveness. I may, at the end, but let’s stick to the somewhat interesting factual description for the moment.

Although the WMATA press release doesn’t explicitly say-so, the general description from observers and media indicates that WMATA isn’t doing full bag checks on everyone they wave over. Instead they’re doing a quick swab of the outside of the bag and only asking folks to open it if there’s a positive result. It’s unclear whether this is an effort to make the process faster, a recognition of how difficult it is to effectively visually inspect a bag, or an effort at avoiding constitutional challenges by allowing them to claim they only really invade your privacy if they have a slightly better cause.

Be that as it may, maybe you’re interested in how this works. Let me tell you about it.

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The Features
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New York Avenue’s Everchanging Face

Photo courtesy of
‘Dave Thomas Circle 2010’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

New York Avenue is a juggernaut of a thoroughfare.  At its western end, the Treasury Department and just beyond, the White House.  At its eastern end, US-50 and the road to Annapolis and points east.  In between, it is an unmatched artery for vehicle transportation throughout the city. Over the last year, it’s undergone some serious construction projects, and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated for the road, and those who commute along it.

This summer, Dave Thomas Circle (pictured above) underwent a traffic reshaping project, wherein the frustrating intersection at New York Ave and Florida Ave near the ATF building was reshaped to allow for better traffic flow, a project that DDOT considers a significant success. They’re about to do something, though, that will lead to a lot of commuter frustration.

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Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: Everything You Thought You Knew About DC is Wrong

Photo courtesy of
‘The first Inch of winter 2010-11’
courtesy of ‘ianseanlivingston’

In the spirit of wrapping up the year with a nice little bow on it, welcome to a roundup of our favorite myths over the past year.  There are so many myths about the transportation, history, and culture of the District that we’ve dug into this year. So here are our favorites, all in one place! Read this through and you’ll know more about the District than most people out there.
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Adventures, Business and Money, Downtown, Entertainment, Fun & Games, The Features
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Playing in the District: Labyrinth Game Shop

DSC_9074

It’s a rare event when a few of my mutual interests collide these days. Happily, my WeLoveDC self collided with my gamer self earlier this month when I managed to make it out to the grand opening of Labyrinth Games in downtown DC. Specifically, right near Eastern Market in Southeast.

Typically today, if you mention “game store” to someone, you’ll most likely get a response directing you to the nearest Game Stop or Toys ‘R Us. That’s because most people tend to think of games in one of two ways – on a console system or other electronic device, or one of those popular box games you find stashed on a shelf in one of the superstore retailers. While that’s just fine and dandy for those looking for the latest release of Madden Eleventy-one or the newest “collector’s edition” of Monopoly, such stores lack the breadth and character of a dedicated game store retailer. And such a store is a rare gem, when one can find it. Especially if they’re independently owned and operated.

Fortunately, DC has finally received such a gem. Continue reading →

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘Wonder’
courtesy of ‘JRoseC’

You’ve heard the phrase over and over again: “A picture is worth a thousand words!” Maybe. Sometimes, though, it only has to be worth one.

As soon as I saw this picture, and before I’d seen the title, I thought, “wonder.” One word. But this photo captures the feeling of wonder so perfectly, so succinctly. I’m sure this shot could replace a thousand words, but its power lies in not having to distill a rambling set of prose. It does the much harder job of showing you one singular emotion.

Jennifer Crawford‘s photo taken at Zoolights was the first that popped up as a candidate for this featured photo, and remained the front runner as I looked through the last week’s worth of pictures. I hope the snow and the season shed some wonder into your lives over the next week or two.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Break Losing Streak In A Bobcats Blowout

Photo courtesy of
‘Nick Young’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Last time the Wizards took on the Bobcats they were outplayed in a 93-85 loss. Tonight the Wizards had their revenge in a 108-75 blowout.

In the second game of the post-Arenas era, Nick Young continues to score points in his new starting role. He took shots from all over the field and went 8-13 for 21 points.

Kurt Hinrich also looked great tonight as he weaved through the Charlotte defense. With 11 assists and 18 points he knew when to facilitate and when to take the shot. I asked Kurt about an expanded role with this new team and he replied, “I’ve been playing a lot of minutes, I feel comfortable playing as a point guard and the guys have just been doing a good job moving the ball.”

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Sports Fix
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Sports Fix: Darkest Before the Dawn Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Sexy Rexy Lost the Ball’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

DC Sports teams are all of 3-19 for the month of December. That’s the sort of Chekhovian winter we’re in for, I’m afraid. But it’s not all bad news.

Redskins
Record: 5-9
Last Two Weeks: 0-2
Place: Tied for third in the NFC East

Down 30-14 at the end of the third quarter, it looked like the benching of Donovan McNabb was the sort of thing that the Skins wouldn’t live down. In the fourth quarter, though, Rex Grossman came alive and put up a pair of touchdowns and a 2-point conversion while shutting down the Cowboys offense to tie it at 30. Sadly, Grossman’s efforts wouldn’t be enough, and an INT inside the 2-minute mark put the ball in Dallas’ hands and they converted for the win. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Features
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Week 15 Recap – Skins vs. Cowboys

Photo courtesy of
‘Santana Moss catch, tackled’
courtesy of ‘BrianMKA’

A stirring comeback against a hated rival would have been a great early Christmas gift for Redskins fans. Alas, the burgundy and gold stocking by the fire appears to contain coal this morning instead of Tickle Me Elmo, and the Redskins move to 5-9 after the 33-30 loss to Dallas. You may now start mapping out replacement quarterbacks and targeting draft prospects. Positives and negatives from yesterday’s game in Jerryworld after the jump.

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Sports Fix, The Features
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Wizards dig for ways to lose, dropped by Heat in final seconds

Photo courtesy of
‘Kirk Hinrich’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Drama of the magnitude seen on Saturday at Verizon Center does not often happen when the Wizards are involved.

First, Gilbert Arenas, the enigmatic scorer and chaotic former face of the franchise (hello John Wall) gets traded to Orlando. Then the feel-good story of beating LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and the Heat after the histrionics of the afternoon gets snapped away in the final seconds as Washington blows a five-point lead with 18.4 seconds left to lose to Miami 95-94.

What it boils down to is that the young Wizards really have no idea how to close out a game.

And the Heat do.

“Get down the stretch and we did just about everything that you have to do wrong to lose a game and they did everything right,” head coach Flip Saunders said.

That just about sums it up.

Washington was in tenuous control over Miami for much of the game. The game was a see-saw that the Heat were never able to quite balance in their favor until the final seconds. The Wizards would go up by six or eight only to have Miami climb back to tie it before Washington would do it again. It looked like Washington had finally gotten the better of the Heat in the fourth period, jumping out to an 80-72 lead, a margin they would hold more or less until the final two minutes or so.

Then, as it so often is in the NBA, the drama started.

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News, Sports Fix, The Features
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Adios Gilbert: Wizards swap Arenas for Lewis

Photo courtesy of
‘Arenas lets it fly’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

The Wizards have made a trade with the Magic that will send Gilbert Arenas to Orlando in exchange for small forward Rashard Lewis.

“We traded Gilbert Arenas to Orlando for Rashard Lewis,” general manager Ernie Grunfeld said. “We think that Rashard will help our front court with his experience, his versatility, his ability to stretch the defense. He is a 39 percent career three-point shooter and when you have a point guard like John (Wall) who likes to penetrate and distribute, you need people who are going to stretch the defense and be on the outside.”

It is reportedly a straight-up swap with Arenas and Lewis both having hefty contracts that their franchises would like to be done with. Arenas is owed $60 million in the end of his deal while Lewis has a few years remaining on the gargantuan $118 million deal he signed with the magic heading into the 2007-08 season.

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Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Video: Ron Artest Talks About Meeting Obama And Wiz’s Nick Young

Photo courtesy of
‘Lake Show!’
courtesy of ‘Jason Rosenberg’

Last night a streak was broken in basketball. Unfortunately  I’m not talking about the Wizards’ current losing streak. Their sixth loss in a row (13th on the road) ended an eight-game losing streak for the New Jersey Nets. The 97-89 loss did have one silver lining: another great game for backup guard Nick Young. Young scored 22 points in the losing effort and now has back-to-back games of 20 points. Young is having a strong season as an offensive spark off the bench and in a conversation with Laker’s forward Ron Artest I talked to him about Young’s improvement while he spoke about his recent meeting with President Obama. I also got a chance to get a quote from Young about his play in a game where his team is often behind.

Watch the video after the cut.

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Food and Drink, The Features
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Party Platters According to the Pros

Photo courtesy of
‘Medium Charcuterie Platter’
courtesy of ‘Sifu Renka’

It’s the time of the year when there are holiday parties a-plenty and it starts to look a little like Groundhog Day. Not only do you have the same conversation with a guy in a stupid Santa tie about how a Kindle is pretty much the same thing as an iPad, but the finger food gets pretty repetitive. You got your brie, you got your random water crackers, your cut up cauliflower with ranch dressing…it’s pretty boring. I believe in the true spirit of the season — showing your friends how much better of a cook you are than them. But what to do? It’s tough to stand in front of that cheese counter and know what to pick up, but luckily there are professionals out there who are a little more clued in. Enter our experts and their tips for putting together the best charcuterie, vegetable and cheese trays you can.

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Five Favorites
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Five Favorites: Staying Warm (and Bright)

Photo courtesy of
‘winter wonderland (February 2010 edition)’
courtesy of ‘mofo’

There is a lovely dusting of snow out there and, even if that sends you down a panic spiral, we can all agree that it is great to enjoy from the cozy comfort of the indoors, ideally with something to warm you from within.

5. Churros & Chocolate at Churreria Madrid
One of my best friends lives about a block from long-time Adams Morgan Spanish joint Churreria Madrid. The bad news for her though, is that, as a vegan, the chocolate is definitely off-limits and we have not quite confirmed the veg-stats of the oil that fries the churros. I choose not to ask too many questions and, instead, just dip my fried dough in the thick, hot chocolate sauce while I wonder how a place like Spain ever invited such a perfect snowy day snack.

Photo courtesy of
‘churros and chocolate’
courtesy of ‘timsnell’

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Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Nationals trade Willingham to Oakland for prospects

Photo courtesy of
‘Nationals vs Mets 08’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

Josh “Alabama Hammer” Willingham and the Nationals parted ways this afternoon as the left fielder recovering from knee surgery was sent to Oakland for two prospects.  Willingham’s return to the Nationals has been doubtful for some time, with much speculation about his recovery and the arbitration hearing he’d be facing.  The trade wires started buzzing around noon today, and by 3:30pm the deal was finished and Willingham was heading West for two prospects from the A’s: OF Corey Brown (late of AAA Sacramento) and RHP (and Fireballer) Henry Rodriguez.

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Entertainment, Food and Drink, Night Life, People, Special Events, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Repeal Day Ball

The 1980's Room of the 2010 Repeal Day Ball. Photo credit: Elba Giron. Courtesy of the DC Craft Bartenders Guild.

400 people. 1,000 limes. 2,400 glasses.

Earlier this month, the Repeal Day Ball truly came into its own with an absolutely smashing party on December 4th. Or do I mean smashed? Maybe that’s why it’s taken me this long to wrap it up for you. No, no, we’re here to encourage intelligent drinking! Thrown by the DC Craft Bartenders Guild, this party celebrating the end of Prohibition is in its third year. Here are some highlights to get you excited about our local bartending talent – and get in line now for next year. DC’s drinks scene is becoming more nationally known by the minute, and its in no small part due to the Guild and its amazing members.

Am I gushing? I don’t think so, honestly. Let’s take a look. Continue reading →

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: December 18-19

Photo courtesy of
‘(348/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Carl: Friday I will take my beautiful girlfriend to Don and Darling Wife’s house for holiday festivities. Hopefully this year they won’t make me dive for anything in the outdoor pool. Two years ago I was promised full frontal nudity by another partygoer if I stayed but it never materialized, so I don’t know what to think. Saturday BG and I are going down to Mount Vernon to see the whole holiday get-up down there, including the Christmas Camel. After that, we will have a nice late lunch of curried chicken (to be featured on my post-vegetarianism blog) and watch a movie in the evening. Sunday we have no plans. I’d love to get out and walk a few miles if the weather doesn’t suck too badly.

Patrick: I will be celebrating my birthday weekend the same way I celebrate it every other year: by doing something else. It sucks having a birthday in December, but I’ll spare you the sob story (which you can read here) and tell you how I’ll be entertaining friends coming into town from Massachusetts. Friday they want to visit the National Christmas Tree and hit up their favorite neighborhood: Adams Morgan. Of course as tourists they think it’s really cool but as a local the fratty bar streets can wear a bit thin. However for them I will brave the cold for some drinks and maybe a Jumbo Slice. When I’m in AdMo I typically like hitting up low-key places like Black Squirrel or Millie and Al‘s but at 27 I won’t be afraid to go fratty and show new visitors Dan’s Cafe just for the shock value. Saturday night we will probably go back out to Dupont Circle or Chinatown. Sunday night I’ll be watching my Patriots on Sunday Night Football- but not sure where yet. Besides Kelly’s Irish Times, where would be a great place to catch the game? Continue reading →